Electronic apparatus

ABSTRACT

According to one embodiment, a heat radiation block is pressed in contact with a heat receiving plate of an apparatus body, a heat receiving block receives its reaction force via a heat pipe and thus moves. A drawer section and the heat radiation block are fixed and held in the apparatus body after the movement of the heat receiving block.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Division of application Ser. No. 12/835,185 filedJul. 13, 2010, which is based upon and claims the benefit of priorityfrom prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-172399, filed Jul. 23,2009, the entire contents of both of which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to an electronic apparatushaving a cooling structure to cool a heat generating electroniccomponent, for example, a CPU (central processing unit) or the like.

BACKGROUND

An electronic apparatus, for example, an electronic apparatus used as aPOS (point of sales) terminal has a CPU for control within the apparatusbody. However, this CPU tends to increase power consumption and thequantity of heat generation.

Thus, conventionally, a cooling fan is used to cool the CPU.

However, if the cooling fan is used, there is a problem of poordurability and large noise.

Thus, recently, an apparatus is developed in which heat generated in theCPU is transferred using a heat pipe so as to cool the CPU, for example,as disclosed in JP-UM-A-5-52560.

In the electronic apparatus using the heat pipe, a drawer section isprovided which enters and exits the apparatus body from the front side,and the CPU is installed in this drawer section. For maintenance of theCPU, the drawer section is pulled out of the apparatus body and the CPUcan be thus situated outside.

Meanwhile, the heat pipe has its one end side fixed to the CPU via aheat receiving block. A heat radiation block is provided on the otherend side. The back side of the apparatus body is formed by a heatreceiving plate (heat receiving surface section) that is made of, forexample, an aluminum alloy.

As the drawer section is inserted into the apparatus body, the heatradiation block is pressed in contact with the heat receiving plate(heat receiving surface section) on the back side of the apparatus body.Thus, heat generated in the CPU is transferred from the one end side ofthe heat pipe toward the other end side. The transferred heat isradiated outside via the heat radiation block and the heat receivingplate. Thus, the CPU is cooled.

However, the heat receiving block, the heat pipe, the heat radiationblock, the heat receiving plate and the like have a processing variation(for example, approximately 2 mm). Therefore, at the time of assembly,even if one tries to insert the drawer section into the apparatus bodyand thus press the heat radiation block in contact with the heatreceiving plate of the apparatus body, a variation occurs in contactpressure.

Therefore, since the heat radiation block cannot be pressed in contactwith the heat receiving plate of the apparatus body with an appropriatepressure, there is a problem that a sufficient cooling effect cannot beachieved.

Thus, an electronic apparatus is demanded in which the processingvariation of components is absorbed so that the heat radiation block canbe pressed in contact with the heat receiving surface section of theapparatus body with an appropriate pressure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an electronic apparatus as anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a partly exploded perspective view showing the electronicapparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows the inner configuration of the apparatus body shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a drawer section that is insertedinto the apparatus body shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view along line A-A in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view along line B-B in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view along line C-C in FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view showing the state where a heatradiation block of a heat pump is pressed in contact with a heatreceiving plate of a bottom cover of the apparatus body shown in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, according to one embodiment, an apparatus body; a drawersection which is inserted into the apparatus body in a manner thatallows free entry and exit; a heat generating electronic componentprovided in the drawer section; a heat receiving block which issuperimposed on the heat generating electronic component; a heat pipewhich has its one end side fixed to the heat receiving block; a heatradiation block which is fixed to the other end side of the heat pipeand situated on an insertion end side of the drawer section; asupporting device which movably supports the heat receiving block alongthe direction of entry and exit of the drawer section; and a heatreceiving surface section which forms a part of the apparatus body andwhich the heat radiation block is pressed in contact with, as the drawersection is inserted into the apparatus body. As the heat radiation blockis pressed in contact with the heat receiving surface section of theapparatus body, the heat receiving block receives its reaction force viathe heat pipe and thus moves. The drawer section and the heat radiationblock are fixed and held in the apparatus body after the movement of theheat receiving block.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described withreference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an electronic apparatus which isused, for example, as a POS terminal. FIG. 2 is its exploded perspectiveview. FIG. 3 shows its inner configuration.

The electronic apparatus has an apparatus body 1. A display 2 with atouch panel is provided on top of the apparatus body 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the front side of the apparatus body 1 is opened andclosed by a front cover 5. The rear side is opened and closed by a rearcover 6.

In the apparatus body 1, a drawer section 8 is inserted from the frontside in a manner that allows free entry and exit, as shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the drawer section 8. FIG. 5 is asectional view along line A-A in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a sectional viewalong line B-B in FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a sectional view along line C-C inFIG. 4.

A mother board 9 is provided on top of the drawer 8. On the mother board9, a CPU 12 as a heat generating electronic component is installed. Aheat receiving block 13 made of an aluminum alloy is superimposed on topof the CPU 12. In an upper part of the heat receiving block 13, twogrooves 13 a and 13 b are formed parallel to each other with apredetermined space between them and along the direction of entry andexit of the drawer section 8. One end sides of heat pipes 17 a and 17 bare fitted and fixed in these grooves 13 a and 13 b. The other end sidesof the heat pipes 17 a and 17 b are extended toward the rear and theirextended ends are bent substantially 90 degrees. A heat radiation block16 made of an aluminum alloy is attached to the bent parts of the heatpipes 17 a and 17 b. That is, in a wall surface of the heat radiationblock 16, two grooves 16 a and 16 b are formed parallel to each otherwith a predetermined vertical space between them. The bent parts of theheat pipes 17 a and 17 b are fitted and fixed in the two grooves 16 aand 16 b.

The heat receiving block 13 fixed to the one end sides of the heat pipes17 a and 17 b is supported by a supporting device 11 in a manner thatallows sliding along the back-and-forth direction, that is, thedirection of entry and exit of the drawer section 8, as shown in anarrow of FIGS. 4 and 5.

The supporting device 11 has regulating walls 11 a and 11 b that facethe front side and the rear side of the heat receiving block 13,respectively, with a gap S. The heat receiving block 13 can slide in theback-and-forth direction by the amount of the gap S.

On the supporting device 11, a spring member 14 is provided whichelastically presses and holds the heat receiving block 13 on top of theCPU 12.

Moreover, first elastic holding springs 18 are provided on thesupporting device 11, as a holding section which elastically presses andholds the top half side of both lateral sections of the heat receivingblock 13 along the direction of its movement, as shown in FIG. 6. Secondelastic holding springs 19 are provided on the supporting device 11, asa holding section which elastically presses and holds the bottom halfside of both lateral sections of the heat receiving block 13, as shownin FIG. 7.

As the heat receiving block 13 receives a force in the back-and-forcedirection, the heat receiving block 13 can slide in the back-and-forthdirection by the amount of the gap S against the holding force of thefirst elastic holding springs 18 and the second elastic holding springs19.

Pawl parts 18 a are formed at upper ends of the first elastic holdingsprings 18. The pawl parts 18 a are engaged with top corners of the heatreceiving block 13. This engagement regulates popping up of the CPU 12.

Meanwhile, the back side of a bottom cover 21 forming the inner bottompart of the apparatus body 1 is formed by a heat receiving plate (heatreceiving surface section) 21 a made of an aluminum alloy, as shown inFIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 8.

When the drawer section 8 is inserted into the apparatus body 1, theheat radiation block 16 on the heat pipes 17 a and 17 b that is situatedon the insertion end side, is pressed in contact with the heat receivingplate 21 a of the bottom cover 21.

In the above-described configuration, heat generated in the CPU 12 istransferred from the one end to the other end via the heat receivingblock 13 and the heat pipes 17 a and 17 b and then radiated outside viathe heat radiation block 16 and the heat receiving plate 21 a of thebottom cover 21 which the heat radiation block 16 is pressed in contactwith. Thus, the CPU 12 is cooled.

Next, the assembly of the electronic apparatus will be described.

First, the drawer section 8 in the state shown in FIG. 2 is insertedinto the apparatus body 1. As the drawer section 8 is inserted and theheat radiation block 16 situated on the insertion end side of the drawersection 8 is thus pressed in contact with the heat receiving plate 21 aof the bottom cover 21 of the apparatus body 1 as shown in FIG. 3 andFIG. 8, the reaction force is transmitted to the heat receiving block 13via the heat pipes 17 a and 17 b. Thus, the heat receiving block 13 isslid opposite to the direction of insertion, against the holding forceof the first and second holding springs 18 and 19. As the heat receivingblock 13 is slid, the processing variation of the heat receiving block13, the heat pipes 17 a and 17 b, the heat radiation block 16, the heatreceiving plate 21 a and the like is absorbed. Since the variation isabsorbed, the heat radiation block 16 on the heat pipes 17 a and 17 b ispressed in contact with the heat receiving plate 21 a of the bottomcover 21 with an appropriate pressure.

If the heat receiving block 13 is provided in a fixed manner, theprocessing variation of the heat receiving block 13, the heat pipes 17 aand 17 b, the heat radiation block 16 and the heat receiving plate 21 amay cause a variation in the press-contact force of the heat radiationblock 16 to the heat receiving plate 21 a of the bottom cover 21 and asufficient cooling effect may not be achieved.

After the heat radiation block 16 is pressed in contact with the heatreceiving plate 21 a of the bottom cover 21, the front side of thedrawer section 8 is fixed to the apparatus body 1 with a screw (notshown) and the heat radiation block 16 is fixed to the back side of theapparatus body 1 with a metal fitting 22 as a fixing member. After that,the front cover 5 is attached to the apparatus body 1 to close theaperture and the rear cover 6 is attached to the apparatus body 1. Theassembly thus ends.

In the case of carrying out maintenance of the CPU 12, the front cover 5is detached and then the screw on the drawer section 8 is removed andthe drawer section 8 is pulled out. The CPU 12 is thus situated outsideand the maintenance work is carried out.

As described above, according to the embodiment, as the drawer section 8is inserted into the apparatus body 1 and the heat radiation block 16 ispressed in contact with the heat receiving plate 21 a of the bottomcover 21 of the apparatus body 1, the heat radiation block 16 is slidopposite to the direction of insertion of the drawer section 8 via theheat pipes 17 a and 17 b. Therefore, the processing variation of theheat receiving block 13, the heat pipes 17 a and 17 b, the heatradiation block 16, the heat receiving block 21 a and the like can beabsorbed.

Thus, the heat radiation block 16 can be pressed in contact with theheat receiving plate 21 a of the bottom cover 21 with an appropriatepressure and the CPU 12 can be cooled sufficiently.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described hereinmay be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, variousomissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodimentsdescribed herein may be made without departing from the spirit of theinventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intendedto cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope andspirit of the inventions.

1. An electronic apparatus comprising: an apparatus body; a drawersection which is inserted into the apparatus body in a manner thatallows free entry and exit; a heat generating electronic componentprovided in the drawer section; a heat receiving block which issuperimposed on the heat generating electronic component; a heat pipewhich has its one end side fixed to the heat receiving block; a heatradiation block which is fixed to the other end side of the heat pipeand situated on an insertion end side of the drawer section; asupporting device which movably supports the heat receiving block alongthe direction of entry and exit of the drawer section; and a heatreceiving surface section which forms a part of the apparatus body andwith which the heat radiation block of the drawer section inserted intothe apparatus body is pressed in contact.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the supporting device has a regulating wall which regulates aquantity of movement of the heat receiving block to a predeterminedquantity.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a holdingsection which is provided in the supporting device and elasticallypresses and holds both lateral sections of the heat receiving blockalong the direction of its movement.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3,wherein the holding section has a first holding spring which holds a tophalf side of both lateral sections of the heat receiving block, and asecond holding spring which holds a bottom half side.
 5. The apparatusof claim 4, wherein the first holding spring has a pawl part which isengaged with and holds a top part of the heat receiving block.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising a spring member which isprovided in the supporting device and elastically presses and holds atop part of the heat receiving block.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the one end side of the heat pipe is fitted and fixed in agroove formed in a top part of the heat receiving block.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the other end side of the heat pipe isfitted and fixed in a groove formed in a wall surface of the heatradiation block.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the heat pipe isextended from the heat receiving block along the direction of entry andexit and has a bent part on its other end side which is bent at anextended end thereof and is fitted and fixed in the groove of the heatradiation block.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heatgenerating electronic component is a CPU for control.
 11. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the heat receiving surface section of the apparatusbody is formed by a heat receiving plate made of an aluminum alloy. 12.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the drawer section is fixed and heldin the apparatus body after being inserted in the apparatus body. 13.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heat radiation block is fixed andheld in the apparatus body after the drawer section is being inserted inthe apparatus body.